Rohit Sharma slammed his 15th century while Virat Kohli reached his 46th fifty as India reached a great position in the deciding ODI against Kane Williamson’s New Zealand cricket team in Kanpur. The three-match ODI series is currently tied 1-1.

Rohit Sharma slammed a brilliant century as India reached a great position in the deciding ODI against New Zealand in Kanpur.(AP)

Rohit Sharma struck his 15th ODI century before a huge Sunday crowd as India scored 196/1 in 35 overs in the third and final one-day against New Zealand here.

After struggling with his form, Rohit, who scored 20 and seven in previous two matches at Mumbai and Pune, smashed his 15th century off 106 balls. The knock contained 11 hits to the fence and two sixes to boost India in the decider. Sunday’s century for Rohit was his second this month. During his knock, he also reached 150 sixes in ODIs.

The placid wicket of the Green Park stadium was a big boost to the confidence of Rohit ahead of the Twenty20 International series, starting on November 1 in New Delhi. In the last series against Australia last month, Rohit had two big knocks i.e., 125 at Nagpur and 65 at Bangaluru.

Rohit started off confidently and did not allow New Zealand Black Caps to dictate terms against him. He targeted Adam Milne as he slammed two sixes off his bowling. Playing from the crease, Rohit first flicked Milne’s delivery for a six over deep mid wicket before lifting the second one over the mid-on region just before completing his century.

Virat Kohli gave good support as he smashed his 46th ODI fifty. He handled the New Zealand pace bowlers, especially Tim Southee and Trent Boult magnificently.

Both Rohit and Virat stitched together 150-run for the second wicket after New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson asked India to bat after winning the toss for the second time in ths series.

Shikhar Dhawan made a good start but on 14, he gave a straight catch to Williamson off Tim Southee. The two teams stuck to the same playing XI, which they had at Pune in the second encounter. The two teams stuck to the same playing XI, which they had at Pune in the second encounter.